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HIP, Art & The Web
The question could be asked why should artists bother with the World Wide Web? Why even does Hunter Island Press Inc bother and what do we aim to achieve with this website? These are fair enough questions.
HIP on the World Wide Web
This website is about raising our profile as individual artists and as a non profit organisation and it is about joining in on the global conversation about printmaking with other artists. We need to look up from our involvement with the small picture and see the influences, resources and opportunities locally, nationally and internationally. An organisation like HIP needs to seek funding and support on many levels from both the public and private sectors. Printing presses and our needs in general are expensive.
Artists on the World Wide Web
An artist a century ago, or even twenty years ago for that matter, could live in the cloistered workshop and probably not worry too much about a global art community. But times change and with a mass of artists vying for gallery space and profile awareness it is a good idea to put yourself out there as best you can to those who are interested in hearing what you have to say. How embarrassing to go to a gallery in Sydney and be told they have never heard of you? For that matter Tokyo or Ontario? With the web you have the ability to make associations and learn from people, other printmakers, who have a lot to offer.
The Global Printmaking Conversation
There are good examples of this global conversation - go to Printfreak, Gregg Chadwick’s Speed of Life or Marja-Leena as quick examples. You might also go to Impress and Warringah which are similar non profit printmaking organisations to HIP.
The HIP Website
As an organisation we see the potential of the World Wide Web to further our cause and are hopeful our members will appreciate the valuable web asset we have arranged to be built. If this was made commercially to this standard it would cost in excess of $10,000 to achieve - so please appreciate the work and many hours invested and offer your support to this venture. In the long term this website has the capability of generating necessary funds and support as well as providing us with a more professional organisational face.
Features Provided To Our Members
Those who have seen this site build incrementally may notice the growing features for members which include the ability to have a personal profile page with images (example Tracey’s page), a mailing list you can subscribe to on the home page, and individual contact forms for committee members as well as the Webmistress. These features will expand as members offer support and use the features we have provided.
What Can You Do For HIP
By being a member of our organisation we would hope you have a vested interest in supporting our cause, after all it is your cause as a printmaker. You should ask yourself what you might be able to contribute to the site? Could you write a short FAQ on a new printmaking technique, offer services as a mailing list moderator, or provide content for your profile and CV pages? If you feel you can offer any content generation or know of any interesting links, events or current news other printmakers would be interested in then contact the Webmistress for further information about how you can go about offering this support. Remember it will eventually equate to presses and paper as well as widened community support so it is in your interests to make an effort.
Who and What is the Webmistress
A Webmistress is someone who maintains a complicated dynamic website and currently our website is maintained by Anita Wanless who is a HIP member. She has completed her degree in Printmaking and E-Media at the University of Tasmania’s School of Art. Her work is provided in a professional capacity on a voluntary basis so please be courteous and keep this in mind. The Webmistress is there to support you and to help if you have any issues or wish to contribute.
For the Members and By the Members
Finally, the website is something that is a venture for the members and by the members. We would like you to invest your time and belief in this project if only to support the organisation you pay membership fees towards. This is your opportunity to share ideas with other printmakers and share resources - Do you know where to buy gum cheaper? Is there an artist you find inspirational? Quick get it put on the weblog. Promote yourselves like crazy as well - that’s what its for! And enjoy the community of the World Wide Web.
